Riding by herself

[Melalvai]

Our lives would be simplified mightily if our 12 yr old could bike 3 miles home from school by herself sometimes. If she cuts across the park she avoids the only scary bit. The rest is bike lanes and quiet roads. Here's what I've done or will do to prepare her:

She's familiar with the route to school, but I'll ride home with her a few times so she's familiar with the route in the opposite direction.

I've gotten extra CO2 cartridge, spare tube, tire levers in her seat pack. I'll teach her how to change the tube, using up a CO2 cartridge so she knows how to use it.

I'll show her how to put back on a slipped chain.

I'll get ID in her seat pack, with my contact info.

I'll tell her if anything besides a flat or slipped chain happens, walk the bike home if she can, lock it up and walk herself home, or just leave it off the side of the road and walk herself home. It would be a long walk but this is next-to-worst-case scenario and probably won't happen.

I'll recommend she wear my reflective orange road vest but I won't insist. There are some things that are too much to ask. I know she'll wear her helmet.

I don't want to give her a cell phone, and I don't want to be a fear-mongerer about strangers. She's not going to be murdered or kidnapped.

Any other thoughts?

[kelownagirl]

Sounds like you've set up all the right things for her. Not much else you can do but try it.

Sad that you live in a place that is so dangerous. I can let my 10 year ride his bike that far without a second thought....

[KnottedYet]

How about a Road ID?
I bought SKnot one when he was that age. Of course, he promptly lost it....

[liberty]

Way back when (maybe 17 years ago?) I used to ride to school. It was probably about 3 miles. We were very poor, and dad needed the car for work. I remember mom and dad taking me on the route and pointing out the "safe houses" where I could go if I got scared. Don't remember what the program was called, but designated safe houses had a child sticker on the front window so kids could know they could go there... We rode the route a few times. I didn't have any bike repair supplies or a cell phone. But it was fun.

Might be a good idea to give her some options of what she can do if she starts to feel unsafe at any given point of the ride. Even though I never had to run to a safe house, I knew where it was in case I needed it. More than likely she won't need the options, but it wouldn't hurt.

[VeloVT]

Why no cell phone? It seems like it would be a good idea.

I used mine to call my bf for a ride home when we had a sudden freezing rain storm last week .

[Trek420]

I remember mom and dad taking me on the route and pointing out the "safe houses" where I could go if I got scared. Don't remember what the program was called, but designated safe houses had a child sticker on the front window so kids could know they could go there... We rode the route a few times.

Good idea!

Even if there is not a specific program know your neighbors, a friendly store is good. Know the route, know what all the options are at every point.

Waaaay long ago, about '72 or so my parents finally let me ride into town to see my best friend. It was about 4 hilly and then remote miles.

On the way back I was obviously being followed. I remember like it was yesterday, a blue VW slowed to pass me, a few minutes later he came back the other direction, slowed to pass me again etc. I was already nervous and then he tossed a pamphlet out his window in front of me. It was porn.

We knew most of our neighbors, I immediately turned into the first driveway, told an adult that I needed to call my folks and the cops.

And of course I'm still riding and I continued to ride. It's a shame we have to even think about all this but you can't be too safe. It would be great if there were kids/parents who can ride together like a bike bus More fun too.

But applause for all the parents here encouraging kids to ride, what a wonderful gift.

[invsblwmn]

I used to ride my bike to school when we lived in Miami, Florida at 12 and 13 years old. It was a dangerous area where no one went outside after dark except for the criminals. The only danger I had was when I wasn't paying attention and ran into a bus stop sign on my ten speed. The keys to safety were being confident and aware (especially of bus stop signs!). Bicycles are a first independence for children. At five, when we lived outside Houston, Texas, I could ride a mile to visit my best friend. Cycling is freedom, what a gift to give your child.

[SouthernBelle]

Get her a can of Halt! and one of those holders that clip onto her bars that come from Nashbar. Better doublecheck with the school that it will be OK to have on school grounds. Tell them it's for dogs.

Then show her how it works and that she shouldn't be afraid to use it on a person should it ever become necessary.

HTH,

[Zen]

Get her a TracFone or something along those lines. You can buy a card with only thirty minutes on it or you can buy some twenty dollar TracFones that come with twenty minutes already on them.

[breezy]

Instead of the orange vest, let her pick out some bright colored jersey or jacket that she will be proud to wear. She'll think being seen is cool not dorky.

[OakLeaf]

Get her a TracFone or something along those lines. You can buy a card with only thirty minutes on it or you can buy some twenty dollar TracFones that come with twenty minutes already on them.

I agree. Or at least one of those panic buttons that were discussed recently. Or you may be able to add a handset to your existing minute plan, and restrict hers to a limited number of phone numbers incoming and outgoing. Honestly, if I had to choose between my phone and my helmet, I'm not sure which one I'd rather be without. It's a vital safety tool IMO.

[SouthernBelle]

You know, I bet you can get walkie talkies that would cover that range. Esp if it's flat.

[Jolt]

Instead of the orange vest, let her pick out some bright colored jersey or jacket that she will be proud to wear. She'll think being seen is cool not dorky.

That's a really good idea--high visibility is important, so she needs something to make herself easy to see that she will actually WEAR.

[DirtDiva]

I think you've done all that needs to be done (although I like the idea of taking her to choose something bright to wear). She's twelve and ought to be more than sensible and able enough to cope with a 5km ride between school and home. Surely this a much less scary thought than the fact she'll be driving in four years time...

[Pedal Wench]

I would insist that she carry a cellphone for emergencies. Most of us couldn't imagine going on a ride alone without one. Please reconsider it for her to use only if absolutely necessary. Accidents happen, and I can't imagine a reason that she shouldn't be able to call you or 911 for help.